AUSTIN — A monster 880-pound alligator that was a Dallas lawyer's prize catch last month is now evidence in an investigation that has resulted in four arrest warrants.

Texas Parks and Wildlife spokesman Mike Cox said on Wednesday that Levi McCathern, 42, and his three fishing and hunting guides were charged with taking wildlife on private property without the landowner's permission.

A man who owns land on the Trinity River in Leon County told state game wardens that a large alligator had been killed on his property without his consent on June 11 and a second, smaller 'gator was taken the day before.

Game wardens seized a 13-foot-1-inch alligator and a near 9-foot alligator.

Violators of the Class A misdemeanor face a maximum $4,000 fine and/or one year in jail.